Buffalo Paddock in Golden Gate Park

We found them! Deep in Golden Gate Park there is a paddock full of buffalo. The easiest way to find them is to take the 5 bus all the way to 36th, and walk into the park. You’ll pass Sprekles Lake, curve around to the right, and voila. Buffalo. Apparently these gentle giants have been in the park since the 1890s, and serve as a reminder of a time when California was the untamed, Wild West. According to the Golden Gate Park website:

“In 1890, a distinct bison cow and one bison bull were transported from the rolling Great Plains to the urban paradise of the Golden Gate Park. Hailing from parts of Wyoming and Kansas, the cow was named Sarah Bernhardt, while the bull was called Ben Harrison. Over the years, more and more bison residents began to find their way to the Golden Gate Park Buffalo Paddock, including three from the Yellowstone National Park in 1905. Before you knew it, the herd showcased 30 bison in 1918. The bison you see today at the paddock are actually descendants of 1984 birthday presents given to the mayor, Dianne Feinstein by her husband.”

Pretty cool, right? You can get pretty close to the paddock in the park, and it’s definitely worth it to go see these guys in person.